Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections for treatment of drooling

SummaryObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of treatment of drooling by ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection of the salivary glands and to determine the optimal modalities of this procedure.Patients and methodsThis study is a retrospective review of patients treated for drooling by injection of 100 units of Botox® into the parotid and submaxillary glands between 2002 and 2008. Efficacy was evaluated by a quality of life questionnaire six weeks after the injections.ResultsOne hundred and eleven injection sessions were performed in 70 patients aged one to 84 years with a beneficial effect in 66% of cases. The most effective protocol was injection of 20 units of botulinum toxin into each submaxillary gland and 30 units of toxin into each parotid gland.ConclusionThe treatment of drooling by Botox® injections into salivary glands is effective. The authors propose ultrasound-guided injection of both submaxillary glands and both parotid glands. These injections can be repeated in the case of recurrence of drooling.